Suzanne Ravenel, also known as Suzie, was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. She was actively involved in the civil rights movement during the 1960s and 1970s, participating in numerous protests and marching illegally on tables and in the streets of downtown Charleston. She advocated for disability rights because her brother, William, has severe Down Syndrome leaving him intellectually and physically disabled. In 1972, Suzie pursued her JD at USC Law and worked as a real estate and domestic lawyer for a decade.
Shortly after, her brother William fell severely ill with Aspiration Pneumonia, and Suzie, out of four other siblings, became his sole caregiver leading her to re-evaluate her career choices. This experience motivated Suzie to attend MUSC Nursing, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. After graduation, she worked as an ICU nurse at MUSC for 23 years. Suzie became a critical care nurse in March 2020, working exclusively overnight shifts. In 2021, Suzie retired from working as a nurse. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina, and is taking care of William who has been readmitted to the hospital for Aspiration Pneumonia once again. Suzie enjoys hanging out with her friends and listening to live music in her spare time.
Interviewed by: Miranda Graves, USC Upstate
